LPGA Golf Wear Korea has opened its first store in Seoul’s Gangnam district.

The grand opening of Korea’s 37th store, the chain’s only stand-alone store globally, was attended by LPGA commissioner Mike Whan and CCO Jon Podany. It was opened in partnership with Hansae MK.

“Golf tournaments and business has always been very strong in Korea over the past 15 years,” says Whan, who has visited the nation frequently over the years. “Back then, golfwear was what professional golfers and people who enjoy the game wore at the golf course. Over the past two to three years, the general public has started wearing golfwear casually. Now there is a youthful and more casual way of wearing golf apparel that shows off style and aesthetics.”

Podany says female golfers from Korea play a huge role on the LPGA Tour. “I believe they also have a huge impact upon the growth of the Korean golfwear market. If you take a look at the players on tour, the Korean golfers are fashionable and are the leaders in golfwear fashion trends.”

Whan says business partner Hansae MK has worked diligently to build the LPGA as a fashion brand, while Podany says there were two reasons they chose the company: “First, the rapid growth of its Buckaroo and NBA brands and its product quality and brand value built over a long time; second, the passion and the experience of CEO Moon-Hwan Kim in the Korean fashion industry.”

LPGA Golf Wear’s success in Korea will add impetus to expanding the business in China and other global markets, says Whan.